March 28, 2011

Ann Patchett Live!

The other day I went with a few of my book lover friends to see Ann Patchett speak at Notre Dame Prep. Patchett is the author of 5 books including Bel Canto which The Friday Morning Bookclub read years ago. Ann Patchett was a wonderful speaker, and thoroughly entertaining, however her presentation was very different from the other novelists I have heard speak in the past. Whereas most speak about the creative aspect of writing, Ann Patchett emphasized the fact that being a novelist was a job. You have to hunker down and get the work done. Of course she had several funny anecdotes to share, including the fact that even after she was a published author, her father still was insisting that it was not too late to become a dental hygienist and get a real job! Anne Patchett also spoke of her friendship with Eat, Pay, Love’s author Elizabeth Gilbert. Having heard both of these talented women speak, I can imagine that they would be good friends. Both were wonderful speakers, extremely personable, funny and entertaining. I guess that is another important part of being a successful novelist. Like most jobs, you have to not only be able to get the work done, you have to be able to sell yourself!